At The Town Center mall in Boca Raton, parking lots were filling up fast by 8:30 am. Shoppers who slept in Friday were following early-birds to their cars, hoping to snag their parking spaces.

Inside the mall, some shopped in their pajama bottoms, while others sprawled out on mall couches for power naps after spending hours in stores.

Michelle Esteves, 28, of Boca Raton arrived at Town Center at 6 a.m., hoping to beat the crowd at clothing retailer Hollister. It didn’t help. She and her friend waited in the checkout line for an hour and 40 minutes.

“It was horrible, but last year we waited in line for two hours,” Esteves said.

Macy’s has 250 specials until 1 p.m. Two of the most popular: Women’s Rampage boots in four different styles for $19.99 and his and hers cashmere sweaters for $49.99.

“When you come at midnight, you secure your size and color preferences,” said Kathy Clarke, store manager for Macy's at Town Center.

At 7 a.m., Joel Donascimento, 24, of Coconut Creek was resting in a cushy Town Center mall chair with piles of Aeropostale shopping bags at his feet.

He and his wife and cousin were up all night, having come from the Thursday opening of Sawgrass Mills. Donascimento estimates he and his wife spent $3,400, mostly on clothes and a designer watch.

Orlene Thomas of Palm Beach said she came to Town Center when the mall opened at 6 a.m. because she wanted to soak up the spirit of the holiday season. She bought a few things at Macy’s, but said she wouldn’t think of missing Thanksgiving dinner to wait in line, as many people did.

“I would never do anything that crazy,” she said. “Thanksgiving Day is for family and friends.”

From noon to 8 p.m. Friday and throughout the weekend, the Town Center will have “holiday helpers” in red shirts giving shoppers a hand by carrying bags to their cars. The service is free, and the helpers won’t accept tips.

The mall also will surprise shoppers throughout the holidays by randomly passing out store gift certificates, chocolates and other gifts.

Lori Wheaton, of Plantation, and her daughter, Morgan Scott, were third and fourth in line at the Toys R Us in Plantation after arriving at 4:30 p.m. Thursday

"Last year, I was first," said Wheaton, who came back to the same store for a $269.99 Barbie Power Wheels car. "I'm looking for toys on sale for the grandchildren," she said.

Wheaton said there were more "standout" items at last year's Black Friday sale.

Chris and Monica Thomas of Sunrise also arrived at Toys R Us at about 4:30 p.m. Thursday with the goal of bringing home a Barbie Power Wheels car, which was reduced by $150.

"You cant beat that price," said Chris Thomas shortly after 7 p.m. as they waited for the store to open. The Thomases were among the first 20 people in a line of more than 150 that snaked around the building.

It was the second Black Friday Toys R Us pre-opening camp out for Sunrise resident Amber Reul and her mom Teresa Cook of Davie.

"We liked it so much last year and here we are again," said Reul who was in search of toys Thursday for her one-year-old son and two-year-old daughter.

"We're here to have some fun and leave the men home with the babies," Reul joked.

The women were also happy to know they were early enough in line to qualify for one of the free $30 Toys R Us gift bags that would be given to the first 200 shoppers.

At the Sears at Westfield Broward Mall, Saul Gelin of Plantation got in line about 6 p.m. Thursday looking to score a 32-inch HDTV for $97. He said he had his heart set on the TV only to learn the six tickets for this deal were already given out even before store's 8 p.m. opening.

"It's a very good deal," said Gelin.

Gelin said several people left the line after hearing that the TV deal was sold out, but he decided to wait to place an order inside as a Sears official said they would still honor the price.

Gelin said there was only one disruption in the line when a man sent a "chair flying."